Forget the Big Apple, Sin City and LA - these unsung cities are worth heading east for...

1. Baltimore, Maryland

Once the beating heart of the Industrial Revolution in the US, Baltimore is the second largest sea port in the Mid Atlantic.

"Baltimore is a gritty city, with steam coming out of the manhole covers, an accent you could crack crab claws with, some dodgy neighbourhoods, smart regeneration and salty history," says Nigel Richardson. "A real American city, in other words."

He recommends visiting the B&O Railroad Museum and Edgar Allan Poe House, and indulging in Baltimore's terrific seafood at the upmarket Oceanaire Seafood Room at 801 Aliceanna Street. Don't miss the Aquarium, the state's most popular attraction, on the Inner Harbor.